Written by

Originally published

The US and Canada are home to some of the planet’s most naturally beautiful places. With more than 100 national parks spread across the two countries, there’s a plethora of epic opportunities for the adventurous traveller. From ancient forests to volcanic hotspots, we’ve not only listed 6 of our favourite national parks but have spoken to the experts at each destination – from local businesses to tourism offices – for their top recommendations of things to do and see.

Grab your backpack and your favourite travel buddy and head for the open road. At Rome2rio, we like to make travel easy, which is why we’ve taken all the hard work out of your adventure by providing the cost* and distance between destinations.

In the meantime, follow us on our journey as we travel the US from south to north and make our way into Canada.

Need to know:

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the US’ top-visited national park. In fact, each year, it receives more visitors than the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Yosemite combined.

Must visit/do:

A Smoky Mountains experience is not complete without a visit to Cades Cove, which combines the most appreciated aspects of the Smoky Mountains into a scenic, 11-mile driving loop. Expect to see beautiful mountain views, wildlife and historical structures..

In addition to Cades Cove, a drive to Newfound Gap and Clingmans Dome top the list. Both the journey and the views at the summit make this worthwhile. On summer days, splashing in Porter’s Creek is difficult to beat.

Top tips:

You’ll need your own car. Unlike some national parks that can be seen using the park transportation system, the wide array of activities combined with the huge geographical area means you need your own vehicle to experience the park to its fullest.

Arches National Park is home to more than 2000 natural sandstone arches along with numerous rock pinnacles, spires, balanced rocks and fins. It’s so unique it should be on the top of everyone’s list!

Must visit/do:

Walk the trails to see the arches and rock formations up close.

While you’re in the area, be sure to visit Canyonlands National Park’s Island in the Sky region: this mesa perched 1500ft in the sky has some truly spectacular vistas.

Top tips:

Head to nearby Dead Horse Point State Park. It might be unknown to most of the world but has long been a local favourite due to stunning views of the cliffs and canyons and friendly walking paths. (Base yourself in Moab: all three of these parks can be accessed via a short drive from here.)

5) Now we cross into Canada to Mount Revelstoke National Park, British Columbia

Need to know:

Located in the world’s only inland temperate rainforest, Mount Revelstoke National Park might be small but isone of Canada’s greatest national parks. Not only is it filled with art installations, but visitors can easily access the alpine – even those with reduced mobility.

Must visit/do:

Check out the historic Nels Nelsen ski jump, and step into ‘Nels Knickers’ to get a feel for what ski jumping in the early 1900s was all about.

Top tips:

Plan to spend at least two days in Revelstoke. This authentic, small mountain town offers loads of adventures and cultural experiences without the crowds.

6) Final stop: Prince Albert National Park, Saskatchewan

Need to know:

Prince Albert National Park was designated by National Geographic as one of Canada’s 50 Places of a Lifetime. Not only is it one of the country’s most spectacular national parks, but it has none of the crowds and commercialism of other popular parks.

Must visit/do:

The magical trail to the heart of the Boundary Bog is a magical trail that is like being on another planet.

The Height of Land Tower is the best view in the park, and the fall colours are stunning.

Top tips:

The west side of the park is home to one of the only free-roaming herds of Plains bison.

These are just 6 of our favourite national parks but we couldn’t go without mentioning a few more top recommendations and a little bit about why you need to go:

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming/Montana: The world’s first national park is located in a volcanic hotspot and has more geysers than anywhere else on the globe (Credit: Nicolas in travel/Unsplash)

Denali National Park, Alaska: Intrepid travellers are drawn to this hidden gem to catch views of North America’s tallest peak (Credit: Unsplash)

Yoho National Park, British Columbia: Many people (mistakenly) skip it this hidden gem, when visiting the more-famous neighbouring parks. (Credit: Tourism Saskatchewan)

That’s it folks. It’s been a pleasure getting to know some of North America’s national parks a little better. Perhaps you have a favourite, one where you had a once-in-a-lifetime experience? let us know as we would love to hear from you. Send us a DM on Instagram or Facebook.

For the best and most accurate travel info, why not head to the Rome2rio homepage, type in your start and endpoint and get real-time results to plan your trip around your budget and time!

This article was written by our friends at Thrillism, who love a good adventure and want to reshape how you find and book your next escapade. The world and your next adrenaline shock await – so get out there!

*Prices were accurate when Thrillism researched and wrote this piece. All costs should be taken as a guide only and are subject to change.

Join our newsletter

Get regular access to our best deals and travel tips in your inbox.

Rome2rio will use the information you provide on this form to provide product updates and marketing offers. You can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us.

Rome2rio, based in Melbourne, Australia, is organising the world’s transport information. We offer a multi-modal, door-to-door travel search engine that returns itineraries for air, train, coach, ferry, mass transit and driving options to and from any location. Discover the possibilities at rome2rio.com